Purpose- To engage students in becoming well-rounded in the arts through literature Genre- Drama, Poetry, Types of Writing Engagement- Use the Paper bag project and Scene selection to become more familiar with William Shakespeare and that time period.
The story of Nat Field in King of Shadows by Susan Cooper is so exciting and unpredictable it will make students
want to read more and more to get to the next section or chapter. I feel that this book uses a transmedial
approach to readers for the fact that Shakespeare plays a huge role in how this story is written. Since I would be
using a transmedial approach, I would spend time helping readers understand the way literature was written back in
Shakespearean times and how the acting came about. There certainly is a wealth of information about the plays and
music in that time period. Students would not only have a lesson in literature, but would also be able to delve into
many interesting historical facts. There is a great deal of background knowledge needed for young readers before
or during the reading of this book. I would allow students to explore Shakespeare in depth to find out about his
early life and how he became well-known. Students will also need to know about the Globe Theater. Giving students
a chance to learn about these things will help them understand some of the ideas that are discussed in the book as
the chapters progress.
Students will enjoy acting out scenes from this book that were influential to their reading. They may want to
take a part such as when Nat was on the stage and just met William Shakespeare. When he said, "It was as if
he'd said, say hello to God. I stared down at the stage, speechless" (Cooper 47). That quote brings about a time
in the book where Nat is so shocked and surprised that it would be a perfect scene for students to share the
excitement they feel as well. Children love to act out scenes in movies and books and I think they could pick out
the ones that bring about the most discussion or questions. It would be interesting to see how they interpret what
is read. Also, students would be able to be extremely creative if they could use a brown paper bag and possibly
draw a scene that was their favorite, list main characters and other elements of the story, and then place five
items inside the bag that relate to something they have read in the story. I am curious to see what items would go
into the bag and how students will explain what and why they choosing the items in there. Using ideas such as these
will incorporate the transmedial aspect of literature. Students will be using the arts and literature to understand
what they are reading.
I think that this book would be great for upper intermediate grades such as fifth, sixth or seventh grade.
Although the book enhances creativity in young readers, it also needs to be introduced with background knowledge
dealing with Shakespeare and other plays that he wrote. There are many art projects and writing projects that
could be accomplished before, during and after reading the book, King of Shadows. This book allows for cross-
curricular lessons or a unit plan involving all subject areas.
Kayla Ramer
LENS 3
March 7, 2013
Purpose- To engage students in becoming well-rounded in the arts through literature
Genre- Drama, Poetry, Types of Writing
Engagement- Use the Paper bag project and Scene selection to become more familiar with William Shakespeare and that time period.
The story of Nat Field in King of Shadows by Susan Cooper is so exciting and unpredictable it will make students
want to read more and more to get to the next section or chapter. I feel that this book uses a transmedial
approach to readers for the fact that Shakespeare plays a huge role in how this story is written. Since I would be
using a transmedial approach, I would spend time helping readers understand the way literature was written back in
Shakespearean times and how the acting came about. There certainly is a wealth of information about the plays and
music in that time period. Students would not only have a lesson in literature, but would also be able to delve into
many interesting historical facts. There is a great deal of background knowledge needed for young readers before
or during the reading of this book. I would allow students to explore Shakespeare in depth to find out about his
early life and how he became well-known. Students will also need to know about the Globe Theater. Giving students
a chance to learn about these things will help them understand some of the ideas that are discussed in the book as
the chapters progress.
Students will enjoy acting out scenes from this book that were influential to their reading. They may want to
take a part such as when Nat was on the stage and just met William Shakespeare. When he said, "It was as if
he'd said, say hello to God. I stared down at the stage, speechless" (Cooper 47). That quote brings about a time
in the book where Nat is so shocked and surprised that it would be a perfect scene for students to share the
excitement they feel as well. Children love to act out scenes in movies and books and I think they could pick out
the ones that bring about the most discussion or questions. It would be interesting to see how they interpret what
is read. Also, students would be able to be extremely creative if they could use a brown paper bag and possibly
draw a scene that was their favorite, list main characters and other elements of the story, and then place five
items inside the bag that relate to something they have read in the story. I am curious to see what items would go
into the bag and how students will explain what and why they choosing the items in there. Using ideas such as these
will incorporate the transmedial aspect of literature. Students will be using the arts and literature to understand
what they are reading.
I think that this book would be great for upper intermediate grades such as fifth, sixth or seventh grade.
Although the book enhances creativity in young readers, it also needs to be introduced with background knowledge
dealing with Shakespeare and other plays that he wrote. There are many art projects and writing projects that
could be accomplished before, during and after reading the book, King of Shadows. This book allows for cross-
curricular lessons or a unit plan involving all subject areas.